Carrier system



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CARRIER SYSTEr' APPLICATION FILED JUNE13. 1912. RENEWED OCT; 11, 1919.

1,347,497. I Patented July 27, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET I- E [01115 Wiiz'sm. mifiess es %an /gm I Snug-M Qa/W 77 M Jig/g5.

L. W. CHISM.-

.CARRIER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION men JUNE 13. 1912. aznzwzn ocr. 17.1919. v 1,347,497 Patented July 27, 1920.

- 9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

L. W. CHISM. CARRIIER SYSTEM-- APPLICATl-ON HLED JUNE 13, 19|2.- RENEWED OCT. 17.1919.

1,347,497. Patented Jul 27,1920.

9 SHEETSSHEET 3- mi'nesses: 1270621707:

.61! (6M Louis PMC1721572? L. W-CHISM.

CARRIER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1912. RENEWED 01:1. 17. 1919.

Patented July 27, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

rail

Wfiiesses L. W. CHISM.

CARRIER SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1912. RENEWED OCT. 17,1919. 1,347,497. Patented July 27, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

lfiuenibr. Louis "(Chis 777,

L. W, CHISM. CARRIER SYST'EM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1912. RENEWED OCT. n. 1919.

9 SHEETS--SHEET e.

Patented J My- 27, 1920.

13706217277: locals WCizism (f 6mm, mam W vbm.

:ziifyfs.

L. W. CHISM.v CARRIER SYSTEM. APPLICATION r1151) JUNE 13, 1912. RENEWED QCT. 11.1919.

Patented July 27, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

L. W. CHISM.

CARRIER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE-l3, 1912. RENEWED OCT. 11. I919.

Patented July 27, 1920.

9 SHEETSSHEET 8.

fnvenibr: Louis PMC7721529? Macadam-n EM L. W. CHlSM.

CARRIER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13,4912. RENEWED OCT. 17.1919.

Patented July 27, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

75708227272 lauzis 712237723722, e 5, nul -1 BMW b-n n! UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS w. CHISM, or SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MEsNn ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE STEEL rRoDnCrs COMPANY, or HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A COR- PORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

CARRIER SYSTEM.

Application filed June 13, 1912, Serial No. 703,370. Renewed October 17. 1919. Serial No. 331,507.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, LOUIS WV. GHIsM, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Springfield, county of i-iampden, and

5 State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Carrier Systems, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

My invention relates to carrier systems, and is more particularly concerned with systems oi the endless motor cable class, although some of its features are applicable to other types of systems. liy invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific 7 embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particu larly pointed out in the appended claims in the drawings Figure l is a plan of one specific carrier system embodying my invention, the extended lengths of the system being somewhat-condensed, and some of the parts being shortened up to enable the apparatus to be shown at a good scale.

F i 2 is a plan on an enlarged scale of a branch unit leading from the main tracks,

and attachable to and detachable therefrom; 3 is a side elevation of the parts 11 in Fig. 2. sectional view 1S detail on line oi 3. ri 5 is a detail sectional view on line 55 of Fig. I I Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on line 66 oi Fig. 3. 40, Fig. is a detail sectional view on line 7 -'Y 01 Fig.

8 is a detail sectional view similar 5 and illustrating the attachablhty of the parts of the branch unit and its mode 5 of application to the main tracks.

I Jig. 12 a detail sectional view on line i2-l2 of 1 1g. ll.

Fig. 13 is a plan of a portion of an extension of the main track illustrating its mode of attachment thereto.

F ig. 14 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 13.

15 is a detail sectional View on line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view on line 16-16 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a plan of a portion of the main cashiers station.

Fig. 18 a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a plan of one of the corner constructions, where the tracks make a right angle turn. s

Fig. 20 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a side elevation of one of the drop stations of the system.

Fig. 22 is a plan view of the same.

is an end elevation of the drop station as viewed from the right side of Figs. 21 and 22.

Fig. 2% is a detail perspective view showingthe receiving and sending tracks of the station, and illustrating particularly the provisions for removing the carriers from the receiving track and introducing them on to the sending track.

Fig. 25 is an elevation at an enlarged scale of a carrier upon the rails of the drop station sending track just prior to its engagement with the grip-closing cam.

, Fig. 26 is a detail elevation at an enlarged scale viewed from the opposite side of the apparatus shown in Fig. 21, and illustrating the carrier with its gripping device in engagement with the cable just prior to its disenga ement therefrom by the grip-operating cam.

27 is a bottom plan view of the carrier as seen in Fig. 26, except that the carrier is moved along into position with the gripping device engaged by the grip-releasing cam.

*l ig. 28 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a detail view at an enlarged scale illustratin the action of the cablegripping lever and its cooperating spring.

Patented July 27, 1920.

Fig. 30 is a plan of the carrier.

' Referring to the drawings and t0 the spe cific embodiment ofv my invention which I have there shown for illustrative purposes, I have shown a carrier system, herein of the endless motor cable type, comprising a main track unit designated generally by the 1111- meral 31. This main track unit comprises a main outgoing or forwarding track 32 leading from a main cashiers station 33 (see Figs. 17 and 1S), and an incoming or return track 34, leading to said cashiers station. rails of any suitable cross-sectional shape, as for example cylindrical rods herein two in number for each traclrand suitably supported in any usual or desired manner. As-

sociated with these tracks is a suitable driving element, herein an endless .motorcable 35, which may be driven in any usual or desired manner, as for example by means of a motor 36 provided with a shaft 37 having secured thereto a driving pulley 38, which drives the cable, the latter engaging idle pulleys 39 and 40, which properly position the horizontal strands of the cable with re- 7 spect to the outgoing and incoming tracks, as Wlll be evident from an inspection of- Fig. 18. The cable may be tensioned by any usual or desired tensioning means, but I have herein chosen to employ for that purpose a pulley 41 around which the cable passes part way, this pulley being journaled on a support 42 mounted to slide longitudinally upon the tracks 32 and 34 (see Figs.

13 and 14). To this support, there may be secured one end of a flexible cord or other suitable band 43, wound around a tensioning drum 44, of the kind familiar in theart, and having its other end secured to the latter. This drum may be provided with a shaft 45, journaled in a suitable bearingbracket 46, and operates in the usual and well-known manner to furnish the desired tension upon the cable 35.

The tracks 32 and 34 are adapted to sustain and guide suitable carriers 47 (see Figs- 28 and 30) having suitable provision for engaging the tracks and herein consisting of position, the spring serves to supply the necessary pressure to urge the arm against the driving cable and consequently pinch or grip the latter against the fixed arm. Here These tracks may be composed of in the arm 52 is provided with a cable-receiving notch or depression 56, as is usual with devices of this character, but the arm 51, instead of beingnotched or grooved as is customary,'is provided with. a substantially flat cable-engaging face 57, for a purpose which will be hereinafter explained.

, The main cashiers station 33 may have suitable means for despatching and receiving the carriers and for that purpose the rails of the outgoing track 32 may be provided with off-set portions 58 to permit the introduction of the carrier in the usual manner, and the rails of the track 34 maybe similarly provided with off-set portions 59 to permit the removal of the carriers. There may be associated with the main outgoing track 32 a gripper-closing cam 60 adapted to engage the movable arm of the carrier and throw the arm into driving engagement with the cable in the usual and well-knownmanner. There may be associated with the incoming track 34a cable grippeno'pening cam 61, operating in the usual and well-known manner to actuate themovable arm of the carrier to release the same from its driving engagement with this cable, The incoming track 34 may, if desired, be provided with a suitable buffer 62, operating in the usual manner to receive the impact of the carriers as theyenter the cashiers station.

Under some conditions, as for example where an increase in the length of a store, or other condition may arise,-it may be desirable to extend the main tracks either temporarily or permanently, and to that end, I have provided a main track extension unit 63 (see Figs. 1, 13, 14, 15 and 16'), having an outgoing or forwarding track 64 and an incoming orreturn track- 65. Associated withthese tracks is a suitable driving ele ment, herein an endless motor cable 66, which may be driven in any desired manner. Herein this cable is driven from the main cable 35 by providing a pulley 67 engaged and driven by the main cable, this pulley being secured to a shaft 68 having also secured thereto a pulley 69 engaging the cable 66. The cable 66 passes part-wayaround the pulley 69 and the two strands cross each other, as shown in Fig. 14, one of them en gaging and being guided by an idle pulley 70, and the other by an idle pulley 71, these idle pulleys serving to position the two strands with respect to the outgoing track 64 and incoming track 65 with which they are respectively associated.

Any ofthe driving pulleys of the system may, if desired, have provision for increasing their driving effect upon the cable. In Figs. 13 and 14, I have illustrated the pulley .69 as being for thispurpose provided with a serpentine or zig-zag groove 72, preferably having converging side walls. Preferably each of these side walls is provided with a series of inclined cable-engaging serrations 73 whose angle of inclination is such as to draw the cable 66 toward the bottom of the groove, thus forcing the cable to take the zig-zag shape of the groove and giving a good frictional driving effect thereto. \Vhile I have shown only this one pulley as being constructed in this manner, it will be evident that pulleys of this construction may be employed at any desired point in the system.

In some cases, it may be desired to run the main track extension cable at a greateror less speed than the main cable. In the present instance, I have chosen to make suitable provision for driving the cable of the main track extension at a greater speed than that of the main cable, and for this purpose, the pulley 69 is herein made larger in diameter than the pulley 67, thus giving the desired increased speed drive for the cable 66. The

extension tracks 6% and of the main track extension unit 68 may be attachably and detachably joined on to the tracks 32 and 34 respectively of the main track unit 31 in any suitable manner, as for example by spreading the rails of the maintracks 32 and 31-, which in practice are very light and flexible. To this end, the main track extension unit 63 may embody in its construction brackets Pl and '75 adapted to support the tracks, 6-1 and 65 and holdv the rails of, the tracks 32 and spread apart in position to allow for the oining of the tracks (34: and 65 thereto, the latter tracks for this purpose being laterally ofi'set as will appear by an inspection of Fig. 13 in such a manner as to overlie a portion of the main tracks, and being oined in any suitable manner, as for example by means of pairs of channel-shaped connections ill-76 and 77'T7 (see Figs. 13 and l t). The tracks (34: and 65 may also be provided with bracketsTS and 79, supporting and bracing the same. The bracket 7% may serve as a support for the journals of the idle pulleys T0 and 71, and the bracket 75 may serve as a support for a shaft 80, on which the hollow shaft 68 of the pulleys 67 and (39 is journaled. i

If desired, the brackets 74: and 7 5 may be made separable in a horizontal plane be tween the upper and lower tracks, so as to permit the lower section thus formed to be first inserted laterally between the upper and low er main tracks, after which the upper section of the attachable and detachable unit be forced downwardly between the rails of the track 32, thus spreading the rails of the latter apart, and forcing one of them downwardly somewhat below the plane of the other, as will be evident from an inspec tion of F 15 and 16. The lower section, after being introduced laterally as above described, is forced downwardly between the rails of the track 3%, the latter being spread apart for this purpose, and one of them beingdepressed below the other, as will be evident from an inspection of Figs. 15 and 16. To permit this introduction of the attachable and detachable unit, the bracket '74: is provided with vertical slots 81 and 82, the former receiving one of the rails of the track 32 and the latter receiving one of the rails of the track 34-, there being provided attachable and detachable plates 88 and 84, which are first removed to permit the introduction of the rails and which are then put in place to securely hold the rails. The bracket 74: may be provided with detachable rail-holding clamps S5 and 86 to hold the rails 32 and in their proper positions after the introduction of the main track extension unit, and the bracket 75 may be similarly provided with rail-holding clamps 87, 88, 89 and 90 for the same purpose. After the parts have thus been assembled, the sections of the bracket T l may be joined together by suitable fastenings, .as for example screws 91, 92 and 93, and parts of the bracket 75 may be similarly joined together by screws 9%, 95, 9G and 97. I

Assuming that a carrier is traveling along the main outgoing t'ack 32 toward the left (Figs. 18 and 1%), when the carrier reaches the track connections 76, it will pass onto the main outgoing extension track 6%. lVhen the carrier starts to move laterally on the offset or laterally grooved portion of the track (Bl. the pivoted arm of the carrier strikes the cam 98, which releases the same from its driving engagement with the main' cab It will be observed that the cable at this point is inclined downwardly somewhat, and that the extension track 6% is located somewhat above the plane of the main track 32, the consequence being that when the main cable is released by the cable-grippers of the carrier, the main cable drops away from the grippers to a suflicient extent to allow the pivoted gripper arm to pass above the iiain cable as the carrier is deflected by the laterally offset portions of the extension track 6%. When the carrier has thus been disenga ed from the main cable, it travels under its momentum until it reaches the straight portion of the extension track 64 whereupon the pivoted gripper arm strikes the cam 99, which throws the same into driving engagement with the cable 66. The cams 98 and 99 may be supported in any suitable manner, as for example by means of the brackets M and 78 respectively.

When the carrier has gone out along the outgoing extension track 64, and ,is afterward returned upon the incoming extension track 65, when it reaches the laterally curved portion of the latter, it is released from its driving engagement with the cable 66vby the engagement of the pivoted gripper-arm with the cam 100. At this point, the cable 66 is downwardly inclined toward the idle pulley 71, and when released by the grippers will take the position shown in Fig. 1 1, thus permitting the movable gripper-arm to pass over the cable. The carrier will now pass under its momentum along the laterally inclined portion of the incoming extension track 65. It will be evident that there must be some provision made for preventing the fixed gripper-arm from'colliding laterally with the main cable 35. This may be accomplished in various ways, but I have herein chosen to provide the track 65 with a slight elevated portion 101, which will serve to. elevate the carrier to a sutficient extent to allow the fixed gripper-arm to clear the main cable. This elevated portion need be of only very short extent, and when the carrier passes beyond it, the two gripper arms will be located on opposite sides 01 the main cable at the proper height to cooperate with the latter. At this point, there is provided a suitable cam, 102 adapted to engage the pivoted arm of the carrier, and throw the same into driving engagement with the main cable 35, whereupon the latter drives the carrier. The cam 100 may be mounted on any suitable support, herein being secured to the bracket 79, and the cam 102 may be secured to a bracket 103.

At any desired point along the tracks of thesystem there may be attached one or more branch units, as the exigencies of the business may require, and these units may be constructed so as to be capable of being quickly and conveniently attached when desired, and detached when no longer needed. For illustrative purposes, I have shown a branch unit 104 attached to and leading from. the main track unit 31, and another similar branch unit 105 attached to and leading from the main extension track unit 63. These branch units may be similar in construction and a description of the specific construction of the unit 104 will sufiice for both. Referring to Figs. 2 to 9 inclusive, the branch unit 104 is provided with a I branch outgoing track 106 and a branch incoming track 107. Associated with these tracks is a branch unit motor cable 108,

which may be driven from any suitable source of power. Herein this cable passes part way around a pulley 109 and the two strands cross each other, one of them being guided by an idle pulley 110, which serves to prevent the strands from rubbing against each other at their point of crossing, and also serves to properly position the upper strand with respect to the branch outgoing track 106. The lower strand is properly positioned with respect to the branch incoming track 107 by the upper side of the pulley 109. The pulley 109 may be secured to a shaft 111 journaled in suitable bearings in a bracket 112, and to this shaft there may be secured a second pulley 113. This pulley maybe driven by an independent driving cable 114:, arranged alongside the main track unit 31 and may be driven by a driving pulley 115 secured to the motor shaft 37 (see Fig. 1)

The branchunit 104 may be attached to the main track unit 31 in any suitable manner, as by spreading the rails of the latter for the insertion of the branch unit, as shown in Fig. 2. It will, be evident that when this is done, there must be provided a substitute for the rails of the main tracks where the latter are spread apart out of their normal position andto this end, I have provided upper rails 116 elevated somewhat above the plane of the main outgoing track 32, and joined at their opposite ends to the latter by two pairs ofconnections 117 and 118. I have similarly'prov'ided the main incoming track 3 1 with insertible rails 119 somewhat elevated-above the main incoming track and joined to the latter by pairsof connections 120 and 121 (see F ig.' 3). These connections just referred to may be channel-shaped in cross-section, as shown 7 for example in Fig. 1; If necessary, the outer lateral flanges of these channel-shaped connectionsmay be cut away somewhat to allow for the lateral entrance of the rails of the main outgoing and incoming tracks, as will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 4. The connections 118 and 121 may be similarly constructed. The main tracks 32 and 34': may be provided with suitable brackets 122 and 123 supporting and bracing the same close-to the points where the rails of the main tracks are spread apart by the insertion ofthe branch unit. 7

The insertible rails 116' and 119 and the branch outgoing track 106 and the branch incoming track 107, may be supported upon suitable brackets 1 24-, 125, 126, and the bracket 112. Thesevarious brackets may be of separable construction, as shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, Figs. 8 and 9 illustrating the brackets 124 and 125 as they appear when taken apart'for the purpose of attaching them to and detaching them from the tracks of the main unit. Herein these brackets are made separable in a horizontal plane between the main outgoing trackand the main incoming track,

bracket 124 may be provided with a 'removable plate 127, provided with a. notch 128 to receive one of the rails of the track 3a (see F igs.'5 and 8). This plate may be secured in its place by any suitable means, as for example screws 129. The bracket An inspection of Figs. 5 and 8 shows that one of the rails of the main outgoing track 32 and one of the rails of the main incoming track 34 are depressed to a plane below the normal plane of their respective tracks, this being for the purpose of permitting the laterally curved portions of the branch outgoing and incoming tracks 106 and 107 to cross over above the tracks thus depressed.

hen the carriers are to pass out along the main outgoing tracks and be diverted therefrom onto the branch outgoing tracks, theremust be some provision made for air tomatically diverting such of the carriers as it is desired shall pass onto the branch,

and'retaining such of the carriers as it is desired shall continue along the main outgoing tracks. Tothis end, the carrier. may be provided on its upper side with a pair of lugs 137 suitably positioned on the carrier to engage a pair of diverting or switch rails 138, suitably positioned and preferably supported on the brackets 124 and 126, these guides and lugs being so positioned as to divert. such of the carriers as it is desired shall pass onto the branch outgoing track, yet not interfering withsuch of the carriers as it is desired shall continue along the main outgoing track. It will be noted that one of the insertible rails 116 is interrupted and is joined at 139 to one of the rails of the branch outgoing track106 (see Fig. 2). there is a short stretch'whereone side of the carrier is not guided by the rail 116, and to provide against the carrier dropping at this side, or becoming'displaced laterally toward the gap, I provide a series of straight guides 140 to receive the lugs 137 on the various carriers, and guide the latter well past thedanger point. These guidesalso may be supported on the brackets 124 and 126. If desired, there may be provided a short supplemental guide 141 located somewhat below the plane of the rails 116, upon which guide, the bottom of the carrier will rest and slide, thus effectually preventing the carrier from dropping on that side and colliding with the tracks 106 and 116. g,

When the carriers return upon the branch incoming track 107 and pass laterally into cooperation with the main incoming track Just to the right of this point,

joining point 139 of the 34, they may be guided by an auxiliary rail or guide 142, upon which the bottoms of the carriers are adapted to rest. This rail extends to apoint adjacent the main cable 35 (see Fig. 2). iVhen the carriers return along the main incoming tracks 34 and onto the insertible rails 119, they may be guided across the lateral gap in one of the rails of the latter by an auxiliary rail ,or guide 143, upon which the bottoms of the carriers may rest. In order that this guide shall not in terfere with the grippers of the carrier, when the latter passes from the branch incoming track onto the main incoming track, said guide is preferably provided with a short depression 144 (see Fig. 3) of sufficient length and depth to permit the grippers to pass and yet not being of suflicient length to interfere with the proper guiding of the carriers which come in along the main incoming tracks. The supplemental guide 141 may be supported by an arm 145 on the bracket 125 (see Figs. 2 and 6).

)Vhen the carrier is diverted from the main outgoing track onto the branch outgoing track, the grippers are disengaged from the main cable by the engagement of the pivoted gripper arm with cam 146 (see Fig. 2), whereupon the main cable, being thus released, snaps'back to its normal path, since the rails of the track 106 are elevated to a suflicient extent to lift the carrier to a suflicient height to allow the main cable to drop away from the carrier when thus released. The carrier now travels under its momentum along the branch outgoing track 106, and the fixer gripper arm of the carrier passes over the cable 108, the latter for this purpose being upwardly inclined at this point a suflicient amount to allow the fixed arm to pass over, and then when the carrier has passed along a short distance, the two arms of the carrier will be properly positioned on either side of the cable to engage the latter. At this point, the pivoted gripper arm is thrown into engagement with the cable 108 by a suitable cam 147 (see Fig. 2), whereupon the carrier is driven along the branch outgoing track by said cable. )Vhen the-carrier returns along the branch incoming track 107, it is released from its driving engagement with the cable 108 by the engagement of the pivoted arm of the carrier with the cam 148 (see Figs. 2 and 6) after which the carrier travels under its momentum over an elevated portion 149 of the track, which lifts the carrier to a sufficient extent to allow the fixed gripper arm to clear and pass over the main cable, after which the carrier again drops into position with the two gripper arms on opposite sides of the main cable in proper position to operatively engage the latter. The pivoted gripper arm then engages the cam 150, which throws it into driving engagement with the main cable,

whereupon the carrieris driven toward the right (see Figs. 2and 3) along the main incoming track 34.

The cam 147 may be suitably supported on the bracket 124, the cam 146 upon the arm 145, the cam 148 on the bracket 125, and the cam 150 on the bracket 126. The bracket 112 may be of separable construction, similar to the brackets 124 and 125, and may be provided with screws 151, 152, 153, 154 and 155, to join the various sections of the same together. It may also be provided with clamps 156, 157, 15 8 and 159, tofirmly hold the rails of the main tracks, these clamps bemg s1m1larto those hereinbefore ClGSCIlbGCl in connection with the bracket 124.

After the branch tracks 106 and 107 pass a short distance beyond the point where they lead off from the main tracks, they may be turned in the desired direction by means of a usual corner construction, such as is shown in Figs. 19 and 20, having pulleys 160 and 161 for the cable 108. It will be unnecessary to give a detailed description of the construction and operation of this corner structure, inasmuch as it is old in itself and units, inasmuch as the branch unit cable is wholly independent of the other cables of the system, and where the branch is long, or

V has numerous drop stations, such a construction as this will be especially desirable, in asmuch as no extra load is imposed upon the main or other cables.

In some cases, it may be desirable to use either temporarily or permanently an auxiliary cashiers station. At times when there is a rush of business, which overtaxes the capacity of the main cashiers station, it is often desirable to provide for temporary use outgoing tracks 168 connected with the main an auxiliary cashiers station, and to that end,-I have provided an auxiliary cashiers station branch unit 166 (see Figs. 1, 10, 11 and 12) having-incoming tracks 167 and incoming and outgoing tracks respectively, and terminating at an auxiliary cashiers station 169, which may be identical in construction with the main cashiers station 33,

hereinbefore described. The tracks 167 and 168may have associated therewith a motor cable 170 driven from any suitable source of power, as' for example from the main cable 35, by means of pulleys 171 and 172 in this branch unit is substantially the same as that of the branch unit104 just described,

- except that in the present case, the carriers come into the branch unit on the lower track and go out on the upper track This makes necessary a reversal of the various auxiliary guides for the carriers from the relative positions they occupy in the branch unit illustrated inFigs. 2 and 3, to the positions which they occupy inFigs. 10, 11 and 12. Referring to Figs, 10, 11 and 1.2, there is provided a pair of carrier diverting guides 173, associated with the lower set of tracks, and operating in a manner similar to the guides 138 to divert from the main incoming tracks such of the carriers as it is desired shall pass to the auxiliary cashiers station. There are also provided auxiliary guides 174, 175'and 176, operating in a manner similar to the guides 141, 142 and 143 respectively; There are also provided guides 177 operating in a manner similar to the guides 140. The detailed construction of the switch portions of the unit 166 is substantially identical with that. of the switch unit 104, herei-nbefore described and shown in Figs. 2 to 9 inclusive, and it will therefore be unnecessary to de-. scribe in detail the construction of the switch portion of the unit 166 by reason of which it can be attached to and detached from the main tracks. When the carrier leaves the main incoming track 34 and is switched off into cooperation with the incoming track 167 of the auxiliary cashiers station, it is disengaged from the main cable by the engagement of the pivoted arm of the carrier with a cam 178, and is subsequently engaged with the cable 170 by a cam 179. lVhen the carrier returns along the track 168 of the auxiliary cashiers station branch, and is switched onto the main outgoing tracks 32, it is disengaged from the cable 170 by the engagement of the pivoted arm of the carrier with a cam 180, and is subsequently engaged with the main cable 32 by the engagement of the pivoted arm with a cam181. The operation of the cams just referred to is very similar to that of the cams described in connection with the branch unit 104 hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figs. 2 to 12inclusive. V

Then an auxiliary cashiers station branch unit is added to the system for either temporary or permanent use,,it will of course be necessary to provide the car-' riers with lugs so placed with respect to the diverting guides of the switch as to cause certain predetermined carriersto be diverted into the auxiliary cashiers station, while allowing others to pass on to the main cashiers station. 1

The system may be provided with any number of stations at tlievarious counters,

and of any suitable usual or desired constructlon, located along the main tracks or on any of its extensions or branches. If desired, I may employ for this purpose a drop station'similar to that set forth in my copending application, Serial No. 680,509, filed February 28, 1912, patented lvlarch 1, 1918, No. 1,955,258. I A drop station of this character is illustrated in Figs. 22 to 28 inclusive of the drawings of the present invention. Referring to these figures, 182 is a drop station receiving track extending from a point adjacent the main or branch outgoing track, to a point at or adjacent the counter (not shown). Preferably this track is provided with a horizontal portion 183 and a vertical portion 18% leading downwardly to the from the outgoing or forwarding track such of the carriers as are intended for this particular drop station. For this purpose, I employ suitable means to engage the carriers of a certain configuration, size or other characteristic. Herein the carrier-diverting means just referred to comprises switcher diverting tracks 185185, arranged in pairs, two each side of the carrier and separated from each other by'slots 186, whichreceive supplemental guides 187, provided on the carrier 47. These guides as usual will placed at various heights upon the carriers, according to the drop station for which they are intended, and the diverting switch tracks 185 will be correspondingly placed as to vheight from the outgoing or forwardingtrack. Such of the carriers as are not intended for this particular station will pass from left to right (Figs. 21 and 22) beneath the diverting or switch tracks 185, and will pass along to the station for which they are intended. Such of the carriers as are intended for this particular station will, be diverted from the outgoing track by't-he engagement of the supplemental guides 187 with the switch or;diverting tracks 185, so that the carrier, while still ,maintaining its hold upon the cable, will be lifted out of co operation with the outgoing track, said track for this purpose being provided with suitable offset portions 188, to permit the main or principal guides "19 of the carrier to clear saidtrack.

Vhen the carrier has been thus diverted from the outgoing track, it still maintains its hold upon the cable for a. time, thus lifting the cable from its normal position as shown in Fig. 26, and passes into coeneration with the horizontal portion 183 or the drop station receiving track 182, as clearly shown in Fig. 26, the guides 48 and 49 receiving the rails of, said track, as clearly shown therein. After the ca rier passes into cooperation with the track 182, as just described, it passesout of cooperation with the switch or diverting tracks 185, as will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 26. At this point, the carrier is disengaged from the cable by suitable means, herein a cam 189, which is engaged by the pivoted cable gripping arm (see Fig. 27). The latter is swung from the position shown in Fig. 27 out of driving engagement with the cable, and the latter when'thus released will of course snap back into its normal path. Since the fixed arm 51 is provided with the fiat, cable engaging face '57, as hereinbefore d scribed, such release of the cable will occur without any interference by said arm. The cam 189 will, in practice, be supported in any usual or desired manner, as by means of a bracket 190, which herein also serves as one of the supports of the'switch or diverting tracks 185 and the horizontal portion 188 of the drop station track 182. In con nection with the tracks 185, I may employ, if desired, a suitable guard rail 191 serving to steady the carrier, and maintain its proper engagement with said tracks.

When the carrier is released from its driving engagement withthe cable, as just described, it travels by its momentum down along the drop receiving track 182, and there be provided a suitable buffer 192 to receive its impact. The drop receiving track has suitable provision for the removal of the carrier therefrom, herein consisting "'"fset portions 193193 from which the 1-9 of the carrier may be withdrawn in a well-known manner by lifting the carrier and rocking it laterally. I will now describe the means by which the carrier is sent from the drop station and placed in cooperation with the incoming or return track;

Leading upwardly from the counter is a station sending track 19 1 having suitable provision for the introduction of the carrier, herein consisting of offset portions 195 similar to those of the receiving track hereinbefore described. This sending track extends to a point adjacent the incoming or return track, and herein extends alongside the latter, preferably in a plane parallel thereto, as seen in Figs. 22 and Associated with this station sending track is an auxiliary endless motor cable 198, having a vertical portion 197 arranged alongside the vertical portion of the track 194, and a substantially horizontal portion 198, arranged alongside the corresponding substantially iorizontal portion of the track 194, so as to engage and drive the carriers in cooperation therewith. This auxiliary cable may be driven in any suitable manner, herein re ceiving its power from the cable 108, or the cable of any other track with which the drop station is associated. For this purpose, the lower strand of the cable 108 passes over two grooved pulleys or wheels 199 and 200, and to insure a proper driving engagement therewith, the cable may be deflected from its normal or straight course between said wheel s into arc contact therewith by 'suitable means, herein an idle grooved pulley 201. This deflection of the cable makes it necessary to provide the incoming or return a track with a depressed portion 202, so as to maintain the cooperation of the carrier with the cable at this point. 7

The pulleys 199 and 200 drive similar pulleys 203 and 204. The latter pulleys receive and guide the auxiliary cable 196, which passes part way around each of said pulleys, part way around an idle pulley 205, and part way around a take-up pulley 206. The latter pulley furnishes the necessary tension upon the auxiliarycable in a manner similar to that in which driving cables are usually tensioned, said pulley being herein jour naled upon a support 207 mounted to slide vertically upon the rails of the tracks 184 and 194. Secured to this support is a suitable tensioning device, herein a cord 208 wound upon a drum 209, which in practice will be provided with a suitable weight or spring, (not shown) which will furnish the desired tension.

It will now be apparent that when'the carrier is introduced upon the-rails of the station sending track 194 at the openings or offset portions 195, its cable gripping devices should immediately grip the cable so as to drive the carrier. For this purpose, I

' preferably provide a gripper-actuating cam switched laterally onto the incoming or re-- turn track by suitable switch or diverting tracks 212, similar to the tracks 185 hereinbefore described, and adapted to receive the supplemental guides 187 of the carrier as will be evident from an inspection of Fig. '22. The incomlng or return track has suitable provision, herein oflset portions 213, which permit the guides 49 of the carrier to pass into cooperation with said track, as the supplemental guides 187 pass out of cooperation with the switch tracks 212.

It will now be evident that when the carrier is to pass out of cooperation with the auxiliary cable into cooperation with the branch cable 108 or other cable, there must be provided suitable instrumentalities. to disengage the carrier from its driving engagement with the auxiliary cable, and subsequently engage the carrier in driving engagement with the other cable; To this" end, I preferably employ a grippenactuating cam 214, similar to those hereinbefore described, arranged adjacent the substantially horizontal portion198 of the auxiliary cable, and adapted to engage the pivoted ca} ble-gripping arm 52, to disengage the latter from the auxiliary cable. The carrier must then travel by its momentum along the remaining portion of the track 211 into cooperation with the switch tracks 212, and along the latter into cooperation with the incoming or return track, at which point the carrier'is engaged with the other cable by suitable means, herein a gripper-actuating cam 215 adapted to engage the pivoted gripper arm 52, and throw the latter into en gagement with the main cable.

Y The carrier will have attained a high rate of speed during its driving engagement with the auxiliary cable, and under ordinary circumstances it will successfully travel under its momentum'from the disengaging cam 214 to the engaging cam 215, but in order to add somewhat to the speed of the car-V rier between these two points, and to insure its having suflicient speed when it strikes the latter cam, the portion 211 of the station sending track 194 may have a downward incline from right to left (Fig. 21) and the incoming track may be also similarly in clined. The latter track willthen take an upward course to its normal level, and may be twisted'eo that its rails will lie in a horizontal plane, as shown at the extreme left .of Fig. 21. Y

l/Vhile I have herein shown and described one form of my invention for illustrative purposes, and have disclosed and discussed in detail the construction and arrangement incidental to one specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the present embodiment nor to its specific application herein shown, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated form or embodiment of the invention maybe made without departing from the principles thereof. 7

Having thus described one embodiment of my invention, what I claim is: v

1. A cable carrier system having, in combination, a main outgoing track, a'main incoming track, a branch outgoing track leading from said main outgoing track, a branch incoming track leading to said main incon1- ing track, a carrier, a main endless motor cable for propelling said carrier along said main outgoing and main incoming tracks, an auxiliary endless motor cable for pro: pelling said carrier along said branch outgoing and incoming tracks, means acting automatically to transfer the driving engagement of said carrier from one to the other of said cables in passing out of cooperation with one of said tracks into cooperation with another of said tracks.

2. A cable carrier system having, in combination, a main outgoing track, a main incoming track, a terminal cashiers station, a plurality of way stations along said main incoming track, an auxiliary cashiers station, carriers adapted to travel along said tracks, and means selectively and automatically to divert certain of said carriers into said auxiliary station, while permitting others to pass on to said terminal station.

3. A. cable carrier system having, in com bination, a plurality of endless motor cables, a plurality of carriers of different characteristics, means for guiding the carriers in cooperation with one of said cables, means for guiding carriers in cooperation with another of said cables, and means selectively and automatically to switch carriers of certain characteristics out of cooperation with one of said guiding means into cooperation with the-other of said guiding means.

4. A cable carrier system having, in combination, a plurality of distinct tracks, a plurality of carriers of different character istics, an endless motor cable adapted to propel said'carriers along one of said tracks, a second endless motor cable adapted to propel carriers along another of said tracks, and means selectively and automatically to switch carriers of certain characteristics out of cooperation with the first-mentioned track and cable into cooperation with the secondmentioned track and cable.

'5. A cable carrier system having, in combination, a plurality of distinct tracks, a plurality of carriers of different characteristics, an endless motor cable adapted to propel said carriers along one of said tracks, a second endless motor cable adapted to propel carriers along another of said tracks, means selectively and automatically to switch carriers of certain characteristics out of cooperation with the first-mentioned track and cable into cooperation with the secondmentioned track and cable, and engaging and disengaging means automatically to transfer the driving engagement of such carriers from the first-mentioned cable to the second-mentioned cable.

6. A cable carrier system having, in combination, main track and auxiliary tracks, a pluralityof carriers of diflerent characteristics, main and auxiliary endless motor cables adapted to propel said carriers along said main and auxiliary tracks, and means selectively and automatically to divert carriers of certain characteristics from said main track onto said auxiliary track.

7. A cable carrier system having, in combination, a main outgoing track, a main incoming track, a branch outgoing track leading from said main outgoing track, a branch incoming track leading to said main incoming track, a plurality of carriers of different characteristics, means for propelling said carriers along said main outgoing and incoming tracks, other means for propelling said carriers along said branch outgoing and incoming tracks, and means corresponding in character to certain carriers automatically to divert such carriers from said main outgoing track to said branch outgoing track.

8. A store service apparatus comprising, in combination, main and branch outgoing tracks; main and branch incoming tracks, the latter having provision to permit the manual application of a carrier thereto; power means "for driving carriers along said main outgoing and incoming tracks and along said branch incoming track toward said main incoming track; and means rendered efiective by the manual application of the carrier to said branch incoming track to cause. driving connection of the carrier with said power means.

9. A store service apparatus comprising, in combination, main and branch outgoing tracks; a main incoming track; one or more incoming branch tracks leading to said main incoming tracks; said branch incoming track or tracks each having provision to permit the manual application of a carrier thereto; cable means for driving carriers along said main outgoing and incoming tracks and along said branch incoming track or tracks; and means rendered effective by manual operation of the carrier to cause driving connection between the carrier and said cable means.

10. A multiple-unit carrier system comprising, in combination, a plurality of individually distinct detachably connected units each comprising a track having a plurality of rails, the rails of one unit being laterally displaced to receive the tracks of another unit; and means joining the displaced rails of the one unit to the rails of the other unit to provide a substantially continuous guideway for a carrier.

11. A multiple-unit carrier system comprising, in'combination, a plurality of individually distinct detachably connected'units each comprising a track havin a plurality of rails, the rails of one unit being laterally displaced to receive the tracks of another unit; means to hold the displaced rails in proper position when thus displaced; and means joining the displaced rails of the one unit to the rails of the other unit to provide a substantially continuous guideway for a carrier.

12. A multiple-unit carrier system comprising, in combination, a plurality of individually distinct detachably connected units each comprising a track having a plurality of rails, one track constituting a branch Whose rails overlie the rails of another unit, and means for oining the rails of the branch unit to the rails of the other unit to provide a substantially continuous guideway for :a carrier.

- 13. A multiple-unit carrier system having, in combination, a main track unit com-' prising a main track and a motor cable associated therewith, .a branch track unit comprlsmg a branch track entering said main track at an intermediate point, and a motor cable associated therewith, carriers arranged for prehensi'le engagement with said cables, and means Zfor attachably and detachably coupling sa'id units in co'o'perative relation for the passage of selected carriers only from 0118 to the other of said units;

14:. Ina device :of the class described a pair of rails forming a carrier supporting track, one of said rails merging into the rails of ala'teraljbranchitrack, whereby agap is formed, and "a carrier supporting guide arranged remote from sa d rail to support at'tliegap a carrier passing over'said tracks.

class described comprising a track, the rails at the head thereof being deflected laterally into alinement and arched whereby they may be superposed 'onfa rail o'iamaintrack.

17. In a device of the class described comprising a main track, a branch track having the rails at the head thereof deflected lat erally into ali-ne'ment and arched, said rails being superposed on a rail of the main track, and a carrier supponting'guide arranged parallel to the main track adjacent the head of said branch track.

18; Ina device of the class described comrisin a main'trac'k a branch track halvin b 7 2D the rails at the head there'ofdeflected laterally into alinement' and arched, said rails being superposed on a rail of the main track, and an :arched rail section superposed on the other 'rai'l'of the main track in aposition correspondingto said arched portions, r 1 V 19; In a carrier system, the combination a main track comprising -spaced' rails, :a

carrier having provision for engaging said rails to be'jsuspended between them, a branch track opening to said main track in the length thereof, acable for propelling carriers along the maintrac'k, a'cable' for 7 propelling along said branch track, and

track having agap therein, a branch track terminating at said .gap, means for switching selected carriers automatically "to and from said branch track, and means apart from the track for supporting passing carriersat the gap. 21. A carrier system comprising :a main line track having a gap in its length, a branch :track opening .to :said main track at the break and a fixedly positioned member to engage a carrier traveling along the main track and support it 'at the gap inde-V pendently of the track. V

22. A carrier system co'mpri'sing a 'main line track having a pair of rails one of which has a gapin its length,:a branch track having rails terminating :at either side of the gap and a fixedly positioned member to engage a carrier traveling :along'the main track and support *it at the'igap indepentL ently of the rails. V I V i 23. A carrier zsystem'comprising a main line track having' gap lthereiaiga branch track joining obl iquely with the main track at the gap and a fixed support paralleling the main :track .adjacentsaidgap to engage and support a' canrier passing along the main and extending partially across the :gap the 'direction'of inclination-of the branch track but terminating "to permit the passage of a carrier along the branch and apart zof 10o 24. A :carrlier' system comprising 'a main 7 the main track,

line track having a ipaira'of rails oneaof which has :a ggapin itsflength,"a'branch track leading V obliquely to the main track ihavinga :pair' of rails terminating at zthe'ends of the .gap

and-an independent fixed support extending i along and adjacent the rails of the, main track to engage and support at the .gap a 1 through-bound car aer passing thereover and constructed to permit the :passage of a main track. 7 r

.25. A carrier system' comprising a' main line track having a .pairrof rails one'ofwhich has a gap in its length, a branch track leading obliquely to the main track having 7 carrier 1a 1ong the' branch and .part of the ing rails, a pair of horizontal rails to which the carrier is delivered from the upwardly extending rails and terminating at the sides of the gap, and cross over means for supporting through carriers at the gap, the system thus constituting means whereby carriers are brought to their normal upright position before arriving at the main track and may travel continuously on the main line in that position.

27. An overhead carrier system comprising in combination with suitable cable driving means, a main through track having rails disposed in the same horizontal plane, the track having a gap in its length, means to'deliver carriers from below to said main track comprising a pair of upwardly extending rails, a substantially horizontal pair of rails to which the carrier is delivered from the upwardly extending rails and which open to the main track at said gap and a supplementary fixed support at the gap for sustaining a through bound carrier passing over the main line.

28. An overhead carrier system comprising, in combination with suitable cable driving means a main through track having rails disposed in the same horizontal plane, means to deliver carriers from below to said main track comprising a pair of upwardly extending rails, a horizontal pair of rails to which the carrier is delivered from the upwardly extending rails and which horizontal rails open to the main through track laterally thereof in substantially the same plane whereby through bound carriers may pass without change of position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS W. CHISM. lVitnesses LOUIS A. JONES, CLARA L. STUART. 

